Tipitina's 'Instruments A Comin' Awards $200K in Brass

The Tipitina’s Foundation is giving New Orleans kids the tools to become the next generation of artists to land gigs at the famous venue. The foundation awarded over $200,000 to area schools, a total of 127 new instruments from the Instruments A Comin’ Award.

Tipitina’s Foundation’s Executive Director Bethany Paulsen said that the selection process focuses on “what they need to make their programs thrive.”

“We select schools that have some element of a band program in place,” explained Paulsen. “We meet with the band directors, find out what’s going on in the class, and make selections,” said Paulsen.

Mildred Osborne Charter School is getting an array of string instruments, including violins, violas, cellos and basses.

"The school has an existing music program, but to date, has not had any instruments beyond a few keyboards to use within their program. This award will allow them to fulfill their vision of building a string orchestra within their music program," said Program Manager Emily Menard.

West Jefferson High School has a successful music program, but they wait-list a number of kids each year. Tip's award will bring more trumpets, trombones, and saxophones into the school.

Through the program, Cohen College Prep High is getting the tools to establish a concert band.

"A concert band setting is where students have the opportunity to refine their sound and technique. This is also where they learn repertoire needed for all-state and college auditions, which is needed to be eligible for college scholarship opportunities," said Menard.

The fundraiser for the award was held in April, where organizers raised nearly $100,000 of the total. According to the Foundation, Tip’s, has given over $2.7 million worth of instruments in the decade since they launched Instruments A Comin’.

“Getting the instruments into the kids’ hands is just the first step,” said Paulsen. “It’s not just for people that want to become professional musicians. [Playing instruments] builds confidence, character, helps to improve test scores,” said Paulsen.